Bernard Joseph Axelrad

Bernard Joseph Axelrad, 87, passed peacefully December 5, 2012, from multiple myeloma. Preceded in death by wife Lee (Perlstein) of 47 years. Wife of 14 years, Sally Ravel, was by his side. Born Aug. 31, 1925 in Salt Lake City. Spent two years as infantry lieutenant in Korea in World War II, returning to University of Utah to earn MD. There he met Lee, married in 1949 and moved to San Francisco.

After residencies at Mt. Zion and Stanford hospitals, moved to San Jose 1954; established private internal medicine practice of 36 years. Retired 1990; focused on painting/became award-winning member of local art community.

A “renaissance man,” Bernie enjoyed skiing, good food, wine, traveling and friends. An accomplished chef, gardener, woodworker, bridge player and jack-of-all-trades.

Survived by his wife Sally; daughters Claire and Merle Axelrad; grandsons Noah Berenberg and Marshall Serlin, and step-children Teri (Berry) Kane, Stacey (Josh) Abarbanel, David Ravel and grandchildren Emily, Alex, Charlie, Chloe and Aliza. Donations welcomed in his memory: One Justice Veteran’s Legal Aid Fund, http://www.one-justice.org/HelpforVeterans, 433 California Street, Suite 815, San Francisco, CA 94104; Temple Emanu-El Facilities for the Aged (Chai House) Fund http://www.templesanjose.org, 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126.

 

Michael Stephen Borkon

In Oakland on November 19, 2012.

Beloved son of his late parents Ruth and Bernard Borkon; cherished brother to Monica and brother-in-law Charles Cochrane; adored cousin to Monica Schefski, Tom, Kendra, Jeff, and Alyssa Kasten, and Avner, Tal and Amit Milo of Israel. A beautiful and gentle soul to all who knew and loved him, family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues alike. Michael was a revered and devoted teacher for 30 years in the Visually Impaired Program of the Oakland Unified School District, and he was a dedicated volunteer for nearly 20 years at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre of Hayward, and for the Comm Team of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.

Graveside services were held at Salem Memorial Park on November 21st, Michael’s 69th birthday. Words cannot begin to convey how missed he will forever be.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

Sol Cohen

 

Sol Cohen, 94, passed away Monday, December 3, 2012 at home in Carmichael, CA. Beloved husband of Muriel Cohen for 18 years; preceded in death by Sylvia Cohen, wife for 51 years; loving father of Shelley (Dick) Ware, and Sharon Cohen, as well as step-daughters, Heidi Duncan, Wendy (Joe) Pouliot and Peggy (Steve) Elephant.

Funeral services were held Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Home of Peace Cemetery Chapel, Colma, followed by interment at Salem Memorial Park, Colma.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The American Cancer Society would be kindly appreciated.

Sinai Memorial Chapel

 

Harold S. Epstein

October 7, 1919–December 6, 2012

Harold Epstein was born in Omaha, Nebraska. A WWII veteran, accountant, and a San Mateo resident since 1960. Harold was kindhearted, devoted to family, and volunteered his time generously.

He is survived by his wife, Sara, son Jerry, daughter Karen, granddaughters Jessica and Jacquelyn, brother Sam, nieces, nephews, and many cherished friends.

 

Roslyn Epstein

Roslyn Epstein, January 3, 1926–November 29, 2012. Daughter of Abraham and Rebecca (Betty) Levin. Long-time resident of San Mateo.

Roslyn grew up in Brooklyn, New York. In her early years, she was a counselor and program director at Jewish summer camps in New York and New Jersey. She was also a social worker at the Senior Day Center in Newark, New Jersey.

In the Bay Area, she worked as a longtime state employee of the Employment Development Department, finding jobs for unemployed workers. At Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo, she was an Arts and Crafts teacher in Sunday school for about 15 years. She was an art instructor at UAHC Camp Swig in Saratoga during summer sessions.

With her husband, the late Cantor Herbert I. Epstein, she performed concerts with beautiful singing of Hebrew and Yiddish pieces. During the High Holy Days, she sang in the Beth El Adult Choir featuring lovely solos and duets with Cantor Epstein. She was also a co-founder of the Israel Chavurah, which discussed current events and advocated for Israel. The family lived in Jerusalem in 1979.

After retirement, Roslyn became an accomplished artist creating many beautiful paintings and mosaics, including several Judaic-themed works. She is survived by sons David and Jonathan Epstein, brother Julius Levin, and grandchildren Rachel, Joshua, and Rebecca Epstein.

We will miss her passion and joy of life, love, beauty, practicality, humor, artistry, musicality, and Yiddishkeit.

Services were held at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo, on Sunday, December 2.

Donations can be made to Vitas Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

Marian Lee Israel Feigenbaum

January 5, 1925–December 5, 2012

A fourth-generation Californian, Marian was born in San Francisco to loving parents Edward Israel and Helen Lazarus Israel. She passed away after a lengthy illness in which she was showered with the love and attention of her beloved family: Dearest husband of sixty-four years, Larry; wonderful sons, daughter, and in-laws Paul (Judy Kemeny), Robert (Ludy), and Ellen (Peter Schwab); as well as adored grandchildren, Sam and Susan Feigenbaum and Zack and Jessie Feigenbaum Schwab.

Marian will always be remembered by the many who loved her for her kind and loving nature; her avid curiosity about life; her unwavering concern for the environment; and her boundless love for her husband, children and grandchildren. Marian was grateful for having lived a terrific life with all of the blessings one could desire: a beautiful family, wonderful weekends at Sea Ranch, many friends, and enjoyable volunteer work, travel, and studies.

Having lived virtually all her life in San Francisco’s Richmond District, she was educated at local schools (Lafayette Elementary, Presidio Junior High, and George Washington High), as well as the University of California at Berkeley and its School of Optometry. But most of her education came through the Docent Programs at the Fine Arts Museum and the S.F. Botanical Gardens, where she was an active and beloved volunteer for many years.

A service was held at Sinai Memorial Chapel on December 7. Donations may be made in honor of Marian Feigenbaum to: S.F. Botanical Gardens, 1260 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122 or The Institute on Aging, 3575 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118

Sinai Memorial Chapel

 

Annabelle Most Markoff

Annabelle Most Markoff, an innovator in the field of early childhood education, died on Sunday, December 2 in Davis, Calif. She was 91.

An elementary school teacher before and during the early years of her marriage, Markoff raised three children and then attended graduate school in special education during the late 1960s in a joint program between San Francisco State University and the University of California at Berkeley.

After obtaining her PhD, she joined the faculty at San Francisco State University in 1972 as an assistant professor in the Special Education Department. In 1976 she became an assistant professor in the San Jose State University Department of Special Education.

Throughout her career she consulted both inside the U.S. and internationally, and in 1979, with several of her colleagues she founded the Annabelle Markoff School in Belmont, California.

She was the author of a number of diagnostic tests to inventory children’s reading skills and published two books: “Teaching low-achieving children reading, spelling, and handwriting: Developing perceptual skills with the graphic symbols of language” (1976) and “Within Reach: Academic Achievement Through Parent-Teacher Communication” (1992).

In 1988 financial industry executive Charles Schwab and his wife Helen financed the creation of the Parents Educational Resource Center, and Markoff became the founding director. She retired in 1993.

Born in Los Angeles on September 1, 1921, she was the fourth child of Bernard Most and Bertha Salzman. She is survived by a son John, daughter Ellen, both of San Francisco, Calif., a daughter Joan, of Sacramento, and two grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew.

The family requests that donations be made to Opening Doors, a Sacramento, California organization dedicated to stopping human trafficking and supporting refugees. 2118 K Street, Sacramento, California 9581.

unveiling

Unveiling for Hyman Manber on Sunday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m. at Eternal Home Cemetery, Colma.